Washing machine drive mechanism



March 11, 1958 E. J. FREY WASHING MACHINE DRIVE MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet1 Filed July 8, 1952 Edward Jm March 11, 1958 E. J. FREY 2,826

' WASHING MACHINE DRIVE MECHANISM Filed July 8, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 2fnuenz or' Edward J rg y E. J. FREY 2,826,055

March 11, 1958 I WASHING MACHINE DRIVE MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FiledJul 8. 1952 fnz/rrl bf v Edward J rgy March 11, 1958 E. J. FREY WASHINGMACHINE DRIVE MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 8, 1952 frcuerzibrEdward J frgy United States WASHING MACHINE DRIVE MECHANISM 7 Edward J.Frey, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to Borg-Warner Corporation, Chicago, 111.,a corporation of lliinois Application July 8, 1952, Serial No. 297,719

2 Claims. (Cl. 68-23) This invention relates, in general, toimprovements in washing machines, and is particularly concerned with adrive mechanism especially adapted to washing machines for both washingand drying of textile fabrics.

Otherwise stated, the instant invention is concerned with a drivemechanism adapted for advantageous incorporation in a domestic orhousehold washing machine which is designed for effective operation inthe washing,

. rinsing and water extraction of clothing or other articles eral classwherein an oscillatable agitator is mounted within the basket forperforming the washing operation upon the clothes, and wherein thebasket in which the clothes are washed may be subsequently caused torotate at a relatively high rate (600 to 615 R. P. M.) of speed, aboutan upright axis, for the purpose of extracting the Water from theclothes. Machines of this type may also be constructed and arranged soas to permit performing a rinsing operation upon the clothes as part ofa series of sequential operations, which by way of example, may be asfollows: First filling the tub with water, then rinsing the clothes,then performing a water extracting operation upon the clothes, thenperforming one or more rinsing operations upon the clothes, and finallya water extracting operation upon the clothes.

Such machines may be constructed so as to perform the separateoperations by manually operable controls, or wherein the operations arecaused to be partially or completely performed automatically in a cyclicmanner.

It is the primary purpose of such apparatus as that to which the presentinvention pertains to reduce the burdensomeness of laundry or cleaningprocesses and to obviate the necessity of constant attention on the partof the operator to the apparatus in the course of its operation. Themachine is entirely automatic to the extent that the operator is enabledto set the controls therefor to instigate the filling and washingoperation, leave the same and return at a later period with the clothingor the articles to be cleansed, completely washed, rinsed, and the waterextracted from the clothes to leave the same in a semi-dry state.

atent O Cit 2,826,055 Patented Mar. 11, 1958 ject and accomplishment ofthe invention to provide a washing machine of the above character butalso lending itself to advantageous and convenient manual control forselectively performing the various washing operations as desired by theoperator.

In order to advantageously facilitate the aforementioned purposes andobjects, it is an important feature of the invention to provide animproved drive mechanism for a machine of the character indicated,adapted to be driven by an electric motor, and where rotation of themotor in one direction causes oscillation of the agitator, and whereinrotation of the motor in the opposite direction causes rotation of thebasket for performing a water extracting operation upon the clothes.

A feature of the invention is the provision of a washing machine of thespinner-extraction type which does not require bolting down and impartssmooth and quiet operating characteristics.

Another important object and accomplishment of the invention is toprovide an automatic Washing machine which is economical to manufacture,simple to operate, substantially free from noise and vibration and yetrugged and reliable in use.

The present invention contemplates improvements in a mechanical movementfor washing machines and the like by the provision of a drive mechanismand structure adapted to convert continuous driving motion into anoscillatory driven movement for agitation purposes.

in this connection, it is an object and accomplishment of this inventionto provide a mechanism of the above character by which motion istransmitted from a continuously rotating member and is converted intooscillatory movement at a driven member, to thus oscillate a workingpart of the washing machine or other like mechanisms, together withcontrol means for the oscillated parts.

Another object is to provide for a washing machine of the characterhereinbefore described, a drive mechanism which is made up of partssimply and cheaply manufactured and assembled and adapted to be appliedto and used with straight shafts to accomplish smooth, quiet andefiicient operation to impart an oscillatory movement to an agitator orother driven member from a motor or other continuously rotating drivingmember.

A still further object and accomplishment of the invention is to soconstruct and mount the parts of the transmission so that long bearingsurfaces are provided for all of the working elements, which bearingsare set substantially in line in the direction of application ofactuating forces, thus minimizing the possibility of strain or breakageof parts through overloading and substantially uneven or extensive wearof the parts through use.

Yet another object is to construct, arrange and mount the parts of theimproved transmission so that the weight of the elements of thetransmission can not only be employed in conjunction withcounterbalancing of the spinner basket but also so that all operatedportions and bearings of the transmission can be readily and efficientlyhoused within a casing to thus be packed in grease or operated in oil,further contributing to the long life and smooth and quiet operation ofthe mechanism.

An ancillary object and accomplishment of the invention is to provide anew and improved washing machine having incorporated therein an improveddrive mechanism arranged not only to effectively accomplish efiicientpower transmission to agitate and to spin the basket but also arrange tocooperate with an improved gyration suppression control orcounterbalancing means, all of which are adapted to be economicallymanufactured and which are so designed as to permit the manufacture andassembly thereof in accordance with present day.

aaaaoes large scale mass production manufacturing methods ofconstruction and assembly.

The invention seeks, as a final object and accomplishment, to providefor an automatic washing machine of the character indicated an improveddrive arrangement adapted for effective cooperation with acounterbalancing mechanism and which is particularly characterized by adesign arrangement to more advantageously and satisfactorily perform thefunctions required of it and adapted to provide a compact unit whichwill successfully combine the factors of structural simplicity anddurability and yet be economical to manufacture.

Additional objects, features and advantages of the invention disclosedherein will be apparent to persons skilled in the art after theconstruction and operation are understood from the within description.

It is preferred to accomplish the various objects of this invention andto practice the same in substantially the manner as hereinafter morefully described, and as more particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings forming a part hereof and wherein:

Fig. 1 is an isometric view of the washing machine cabinet;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the washing machine cabinet depicted inFig. 1 with parts thereof removed and shown in section to more clearlyillustrate the construction thereof, this view being taken substantiallyon the plane of the line 22 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the drive mechanism embodying the featuresof the present invention;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of a brake mechanism effective to permitunder certain conditions relative rotation of the agitator drivingmechanism and the driving mechanism of the basket depicted in Fig. 2,and being taken substantially on the plane of the lines 44 in Figs. 2and 3;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the transmission contemplated by thisinvention with the top cover housing removed to more clearly show theinternal disposition of the parts thereof;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the transmission depicted in Fig. 5, thisview being shown in section to more clearly illustrate the internalconstruction of the parts disclosed and being taken substantially on theplane of the line 66 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatical illustration of the major component parts ofthe transmission depicted in Fig. 5 but illustrating the parts moved toa different position; and

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatical illustration of the parts disclosed in Figs.5 and 7 but illustrating the relative disposition of these parts whenmoved to another position.

The drawings are understood to be more or less of a schematic characterfor the purpose of illustrating and disclosing a typical or preferredform of the improvements contemplated herein, and in the drawings likereference characters identify the same parts in the several views.

Attention is invited to the drawings, particularly Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5,wherein the entire drive mechanism with which the present invention isparticularly concerned is designated in its entirety by the numeral andshown incorporated in a washing machine comprising, in general, thecomponent part assemblies respectively indicated in their entirety bythe letters as follows: A cabinet A exemplifying the external appearanceof the automatic washing, rinsing and water extracting machine as shownin Fig. 1 and being hereinafter referred to simply as a washing machine;a basket B of the centrifugal extracting type disposed within thecabinet A; an improved agitator C operatively disposed within the basketB and having as a part thereof the housing of the transmission forming apart of the drive mechanism, said housing being carried by the basketfor rotation therewith when the basket is rotated for centrifugal waterextracting operations and the bulk, mass and weight of which cooperateswith a gyration suppression control means I which includes a controlswitch I; a reversible electric motor G to drive said agitator and saidbasket B through the driving mechanism 15; a supporting structure H;water inlet and drain assemblies respectively indicated as at K and L;and a sequential control M as disclosed in a copending patentapplication of Joseph M. Gartner, Serial No. 262,760, filed December 21,1951, and entitled equential Controller, and which is adapted toregulate the operation of the various elements in proper sequence toperform the operations involving filling, washing, rinsing and waterextraction.

Attention is directed to Fig. 1 wherein there is illustrated the cabinetA which houses the entire mechanism and control system therefor andwhich comprises a cover 20, a front panel 21, side panels respectivelyindicated at 22 and 23, and a control panel 24 forming a part of andprojecting upwardly from the cover as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

In Figs. 1 and 2 it can be seen that the cover 20 is provided with ahinged lid 25 to form a closure member for an opening 2.6 through whichclothes or other articles to be cleansed may be introduced to themachine. The hinged lid 25 is so disposed with respect to the opening 26that it will be flush with the surface of the cover 20 when it is in itsclosed position. One or more metal straps 27 pivotally disposed in themountings secured to the under side of the cover 26 serve to provide ahinged mounting for the lid 25 with respect to the cover 20. Adepression formed in the surface of the hinged lid 25 provides access toa handgrip 28 disposed at one edge of the lid 25 opposite its hingedmounting.

On the left-hand side of the control panel 24 there is disposed acontrol switch 30 which provides a means for manually selectivelypresenting the operation of an automatic temperature control mixingvalve 31 forming a part of the water inlet assembly K. This mixing valve31, which will be described in greater detail hereinafter, serves toprovide for the introduction of cleaning fluids, in this case, water, ata proper temperature to insure proper cleansing of the articles to belaundered.

On the right-hand side of the control panel 24 there is disposed acontrol knob 33 which provides a means for manually operating thesequential control M. The length of the washing cycle may bepredetermined and set within certain limits by the manual adjustment ofthe control knob 33 in a manner to be described in detail hereinafter.

It is notable that both the control switch 30 and the control knob 33are shown as being disposed on the paneled surface 24 so that theyprovide no obstruction to the operator in the introduction of thearticles to be laundered to the machine, or their removal therefrom.

Particular attention is directed to Fig. 1 wherein there is clearlyillustrated a recess 35 arranged adjacent the back portions of thewashing machine cabinet, this recess being adaptable for convenientreceipt of pipes, wiring cables and the like so that the rear portions36 of the top of the cabinet may be positioned so as to be in engagementwith a wall or the like to provide continuity when the washer isdisposed in a kitchen and/ or laundry cabinet arrangement and yetprovide, by means of the recess 35, for accommodation of obstructionrunning horizontally along the wall which could be supply pipes and/orelectrical conduits and the like.

A recessed toe plate 37 is provided in the lower front portions of thecabinet as shown. This also is to provide obvious advantages of utilityand giving design considerations to uniformity when the washing machineis disposed in a kitchen and/or laundry cabinet arrangement.

Attention is now directed to Fig. 2 wherein there is clearly shown thestructural support H which comprises a base formed of structural anglemembers as at 40 and 41 to define. a substantially square box-like basehaving disposed in the four corners thereof suitable adjustable legs 42adaptable to provide a levelling means for the Washer when placed inoperative position on a floor or the like, a super-structure formed ofbent steel elements 45 as shown with an encircling cover-like member 46having a relatively large central aperture 47 and presenting arelatively flat working surface 48 upon which portions of the gyrationsuppression means I are operatively disposed.

It can be seen in Fig. 2 that the lower portions of the cabinet A aresecured to and supported by the angle members 40 and 41 of the base byvirtue of suitable securing means as at 49. Thus, it can be seen thatthe supporting structure H is a self-contained unit and is constructedso as to place the center of gravity in the lower portions of theWashing machine which is effective to provide advantageous stabilizationof the Washing machine :in operation thereby to reduce noise andobjectionable vibration to the minimum.

Disposed within the cabinet A and mounted on the supporting structure H,by virtue of a plurality of legs as at 89 and which are in engagementwith and secured to portions of the working surface 48, is a water-tightouter tub designated in its entirety by the numeral 95 (Fig. 2). It canbe seen in Fig. 2 that the outer tub 95 comprises a bottom Wall 96 andupstanding side walls as at 97 terminating in an open top 98 providingan annular opening, the periphery of which is disposed within theconfines of the cabinet top and the peripheral edge of which is providedwith an annular shaped seal 99 adapted to engage portions of the insidesurface of the cover 20 in order to prevent water from splashing out ofthe tub 95 and between the outer surface of the tub 95 and the interiorof the cabinet A.

Disposed within the tub 95 and arranged for relative rotationtherebetween and spaced from the wall 97 of the tub 95, there isprovided the combination washing tub and water extracting basket B. Aswill best be seen in Fig. 2, the combination washing tub and waterextracting basket comprises an imperforate bottom wall 100 having anannular offset 101 projecting inwardly of the tub and terminating in anannular inwardly projecting flange 102, the periphery of which defines acentrally disposed annular opening.

Integrally formed with the cover 20 of the cabinet A and projectinginwardly thereof substantially coaxially with the geometrical axis ofrotation of the tub B, there is provided an annular flange 110 adaptedto present a relatively smooth surface to define a throat through whichthe fabrics and other materials to be washed may be introduced to thecombination washing tub and water extracting basket B Without danger ofthe fingers of the operator being injured or caught between the adjacentoperating parts of the washer.

In order to provide further for the advantageous insertion of theclothes into the combination Washing tub and water extracting basket Bthere is provided an annular flange 111 defining an annular opening 112forming a continuation of the aforementioned throat for the purpose ofdirecting the passage of the clothes or other material to be washed intothe combination washing tub and water extracting basket B to performwashing actions thereon. It is notable that the annular flange 111 isformed so that portions thereof will project downwardly within theconfines of the combination tub and basket B to present an oblique wall115 and thereafter terminate in an annular flange 116 which is formed todefine a corrugated-like shape so as to provide between these corrugatedformations a series of apertures as at 118 through which fluid may pass.

Obviously, the flanged throat element 111 may be suitably supported byany convenient means to the peripheral flange 106 of the combinationwashing tub and water extraction basket B. Moreover, it can be seen thatthe peripheral flange 106 and the corrugated-like formations 6 on theflange 116 forming therebetween a series of apertures 118 hereinbeforementioned and through which water may pass into the outer tub 95 forretention or removal therefrom.

In operation, the rotation of the combination washing tub and waterextracting basket B at extremely high speeds during the extractionoperation will cause centrifugal forces to move the mass of wateroutwardly from the geometrical center of rotation and, by virtue of theinclined upstanding annular wall 105 of the combination washing tub andwater extracting basket B, the Water Will tend to flow upwardly throughthe passage defined by the oblique wall 115 and the adjacent portion ofthe wall 105, and thereafter, through the apertures 118 formed by thecorrugated-like formations on the annular flange 116, whereupon thewater will be discharged into the confines of the outer tub 95 fordisposal. It is important to understand centrifuge action of the basketB will empty the water disposed therein in a matter of a few secondsthus presenting a substantial saving of time in the wash cycle and yetperforming a better job than prior art models employing time consumingpumping operations and the like.

One of the principal features of the washing machine is the provision ofnovel means associated with and forming a part of the combinationwashing tub and water extracting basket B for the purpose of completelyemptying out the basket during the extracting cycle, thereby to preventobjectionable and. undesirable scum and other foreign matter to remainin the basket B during subsequent operations in the washing cycle.

in order to advantageously accomplish the removal of the entrappedobjectionable scum containing fluid there are provided a series ofapertures, as at 120, dislit) posed beneath the agitation in an annulararray adjacent to the offset 101 of the bottom wall of the basket B.Operatively disposed below the aforementioned series of apertures 120there is provided an annular cup-shaped structure indicated in itsentirety by the numeral (Fig. 2) and being supported in the position asshown by welding portions thereof to a flange 126 being secured etweenthe two plates forming the housing of the transmission D (see Fig. 2).An important feature in this construction is that the inner wall of theannular cupshaped structure 125 has as its central axis the central axisof the tub while the outer wall thereof is eccentric and with thelargest space being adjacent the conduit 130. In order to provide awater-tight annular chamber disposed below the annular array ofapertures 120, there is provided a seal 127 carried by the cup-likestructure 125 and adapted for engagement with outer portions of thebottom wall of the basket B.

Thus, it can be seen that the sediment contained water and other foreignmatter may pass through the apertures 120 and into the annular cup-likestructure 125 and by virtue of a centrifuge action similar to thathereinbefore described with respect to the emptying of the basket B, thesediment contained water will be caused to flow from the annularcup-shaped structure into the conduit 130 which extends upwardlyadjacent the exterior of the Wall 105 of the basket B and terminateswith an open end 131 and through this conduit 103 and by virtue of thecentrifuge action imparted by rotation of the basket B at relativelyhigh speed, the sediment contained water will rise in the conduit 130and be discharged from the open end 131 thereof and into the confines ofthe outer tub 95 for disposal with the other water being caused to beextracted from the inner portions of the tub B through apertures 118formed of the corrugated shaped formations on the flange 116.

It is well known that a relatively heavy mass or weight should beprovided in the centrifuge operation of the basket B. In order toovercome normal unbalance conditions in the basket B caused by unevendistribution of the fabrics contained therein, it has been founddesirable to provide centrifugal forces assisted by mass or Weight tofacilitate the rotation of the basket B coincident, as nearly aspossible, with the normal geometrical axis of rotation.

In order to provide the necessary mass or weight, the weighted mass asis secured, by any conventional manner, to the exterior of the wall 105of the basket B in the upper portions thereof adjacent the annularflange 106 (see Fig. 2). it is notable that this weighted mass 60 is ofsuch character as to cooperate with the gyration suppression means I,hereinafter described, the cooperation of these elements being effectiveto overcome, in normal operations, any unbalanced conditions and causethe centrifuge or basket B to assume a position, during rotationthereof, coincident with the normal geometrical axis of rotation therebyto substantially minimize noise and vibration during operation of thewashing machine, particularly during the spinning or extraction periods.

The invention contemplates the novel disposition of the housing of thetransmission D as a part of the lower wall 100 of the basket B at theflange 102 by means of the bolts 1133. Thus, top plate 146 completes theen closure of the opening in the basket B defined by the inner marginaledge of the flange 102.

It is notable that the agitator C is mounted on the basket B, ashereinbefore described, for the purpose of imparting an oscillatorymovement to accomplish advantageous agitation of the water and thefabrics con tained in the basket B.

The cleaning of textiles is effected by a combination of the action ofthe detergent liquid through the pores or interstices of the fabrics,fiexure of the fabrics caused by agitation and the chemical action ofthe detergent thereon as controlled by the strength and temperature ofthe detergent liquid. These several actions must be properly coordinatedand must be limited so that they will not damage the fabrics, either bytearing or undue wear from violent agitation or by chemical action ofthe detergent thereon. It is further apparent that the treatmentnecessary to clean fabrics of different kinds and the violence of thepermissible cleaning action vary substantially with the type and soilcondition of the fabrics.

The agitator C of the present invention has been given designconsiderations to provide proper flexure and agitation of the fabricswithout danger thereto and to provide an improved washing action, thisimproved washing action being accomplished by the cooperative efforts ofthe fishtail-like segment 143 to cause advantageous and effectiveagitation at the surface of the water, and the balance of the vanes 142to cause effective agitation of the water adjacent the central and lowerpordons of the basket B.

Attention is now directed to Figs. 2 and 3 wherein there is clearlydisclosed the structural support H which comprises a base formed ofstructural angle members as at ill and 41 to define a substantiallysquare box-like base having disposed at the four corners thereofsuitable adjustable legs 4-2 adaptable to provide a leveling means forthe washer when placed in operative position on a floor or the like, asuper-structure formed of bent steel elements i5 as shown with anencircling cover-like member 46 having a relatively large centralaperture 47 and presenting a relatively fiat Working surface 48 uponwhich portions of the gyration suppression means I are operativelydisposed.

It can be seen in Figs. 2 and 3 that the lower portions of the cabinet Aare secured to and supported by the angle members and 41 of the base byvirtue of suitable securing means as at 49. Thus, it can be seen thatthe supporting structure H is a self-contained unit and is constructedso as to place the center of gravity in the lower portions of thewashing machine which is effective to provide advantageous stabilizationof the washing machine in operation thereby to reduce noise andobjectionable vibration to the minimum.

Having thus described, by way of example, a possible adaptation of thewashing machine drive mechanism 15 and having described the generalenvironment surrounding the adaptation, the specific construction andfunction of the parts of said drive mechanism 15 when disposed in anautomatic Washing machine as hereinbefore disclosed, will now bedescribed in detail.

Tr nsmission D Particular attention is invited to the transmission Dwhich is arranged to translate an oscillatory motion to the agitatorfrom a constant rotating drive mechanism to be hereinafter described indetail, the structural details of the transmission D being shown to bestadvantage in Figs. 2, 5, 6, 7 and 8.

in general, it may be stated that power operated washing machines havingan agitator as at C operating with an oscillatory movement and in othermachines of this character, the rotary movement of the motor or otherpower unit is customarily translated or transmitted into oscillatorymovement by means of gears and racks.

It has been found that when gears and racks and the like are employed toimpart an oscillatory movement certain deficiencies in the operationcharacteristics appear to present themselves, that is to say, the gearsand racks cause considerable noise.

Moreover, further attempts have been made to accomplish oscillatorymovement by the employment of cranks and links. It has been found thatthis can be done satisfactorily only if a special shaft is employed,because in washing machines and the like a proper circulation and wateraction in the washing machine tub is accomplished only when the agitatorhas an oscillatory movement greater than 180 degrees, for example, from180 degrees to 220 degrees.

Exhaustive experiments have proven that if the degree of oscillation ofthe agitator is less than the amount above indicated, a propercirculation and agitation of the water in the machine will not beobtained and consequently an incomplete cleansing action results. Thisdeficiency can only be overcome by operating the machine for anexcessively long period which, in most cases, is not feasibleparticularly when the machines are automatic and conrolled by a timerhaving certain limited range of adjustment to vary the sequentialoperations found in the washing cycle.

Giving full attention and significance to the aforementioneddeficiencies and objections, it is one of the purposes of this inventionto provide a mechanical movement for automatic washing machines and thelike that will permit the employment of a straight agitator shaft.Moreover, the instant transmission will translate and transmit thedesired oscillatory movement through cycles greater than 180 degrees,and will be extremely smooth and quiet in operation and yet beinexpensive to manufacture and assemble.

Since the present invention contemplates the provision of an oscillatingagitator as at C disposed within a centrifuge basket as at B, eachrequiring specific mechanical movements from a single drive source toaccomplish their respective purposes, it is desirable that means beprovided for efficiently and positively controlling the operation of theoscillated agitator or other elements while not interfering with thecontinuous operation of the motor G so that it may be employed inconnection with driving operations for the other elements.

Specific attention is invited to Figs. 2 and 6 which show that thetransmission D is provided with a housing comprising the top plate 146and the bottom shell 170, the top plate 146 and the bottom shell 170being secured together at their respective marginal flanges by means ofbolts as at 171.

The invention contemplates the novel disposition of the housing of thetransmisison D as a part of the lower Wall of the basket B at the flange102 by means of sea on the bolts 103. Thus top plate 146 causes theenclosure of the opening in the basket B defined by the inner marginaledge of the flange 102..

As was described hereinbefore a necessary weight or mass should be givento the centrifuge or basket B in order to provide proper centralizingcharacteristics in its high speed rotation. It is important tounderstand that the relatively heavy mass or bulk of the transmission Dwhen disposed in the manner taught by this in vention will be effectiveto contribute to the weight and bulk necessary in the centrifuge orbasket 13 for it to advantageously perform the functions required of it.Thus, it can be seen that the housing of the transmission D is fixedlysecured to the centrifuge or basket 13 and because of this will rotatein its entirety with the centrifuge or basket B in the extractingoperations of the washing cycle. This is an advantageous feature of theinvention and an important contribution to the art.

The invention contemplates the provision of a transmission having aplanetary sector component arranged to produce a satisfactory action,not only from the standpoint of cost and manufacturing, but also onethat efficiently fulfills the requirements of compact design and highrate of reduction.

In the exemplary embodiment of the planetary sector components of thetransmission D illustrated in Fig. 6, it can be seen that the agitatorshaft 151 projects downwardly into the confines of the housing of thetransmission.

The planetary sector components comprise a sun gear 180 keyed to thebase of the agitator shaft 151, a connecting rod 181, one end of whichis provided with sector teeth as at 182, and the other end 183 of whichis journaled about a pin 184 carried by a crank gear 185, and a carrierlink 156, one end 187 of which is freely journaled on the agitator shaft151 and the other end 183 of which is journaled on a pin 1% defining thecentral axis of the planetary sector teeth 182.

Essentially, the planetary sector components consist of the connectingrod 181 with sector teeth 182 cut in one end of it, the sector teeth 1S2engaging a sun gear 180 disposed on the base of the agitator shaft 151and held in engagement with this sun gear by a carrier link 186 whichpivots freely upon the agitator shaft and on the center of radius of thesector teeth 182 as defined by the pin 189. Because of the action of theconnecting rod 181 produced by the crank gear 185 to which one end 183is journaled, a planetary action of the sector defined by sector teeth182 is transmitted to the sun gear 1861 otherwise known as the agitatorpinion. Thus depending upon the proportions of the sector and sun gears,the angular motion of the agitator shaft 151 will be increased someamount more than the angular motion of the sector. This may be expressedby the following formula:

Revolution of the Agitator:

Radius of Connecting Rod Gear 1 Radius of Agitator Gear This would meanthat if the radii of the connecting rod gear 132 and the agitator gear180 were equal, the agitator would move angularly twice as far as thesector. The advantages of this motion will become readily apparent tothose who have had experience in sector and rack type transmissions. Ashort stroke on the connecting rod can be utilized with a resultantshort rod, and a large pinion (such as at 180) on the agitator shaft canbe specified so that undercutting of the pinion with resultant poorteeth contact is eliminated.

The crank gear 185 is mounted on a stub shaft 197 and forms one memberof a speed reduction gear train comprising a pinion 199 in engagementwith the crank gear 185 and mounted on the stub shaft 200 which alsocarries a drive gear 201 in engagement with a pinion 202 pinned to andmounted on a drive shaft 203 forming part of the driving mechanism E tobe hereinafter described.

In accordance with the construction contemplated by 10 this invention,the rotating driving shaft 203 driving through the hereinbeforedescribed gear train comprising the pinion 202, drive gear 201, pinion199 and crank gear 185, will impart continuous rotation to the crankgear 185 to turn the same in one direction asindicated by the arrows.

The carrier link 186 and the connecting rod 181 by virtue of itseccentric mounting on the crank gear 185 will cause oscillating movementof the planetary gear segment 182 in a defined path between extremepositions illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11 to impart to said agitator geara driving oscillatory movement effected by the continuously swingingbackward and forward of the connecting rod 181 in the defined paththrough rotation of crank gear 185 between the two extremes of positionas best illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, thereby to impart to the agitatorC the desired oscillatory motion in certain of the sequential operationsof the washing cycle.

As will be seen best in Figs. 3 and 6, the bottom plate 170 of thetransmission housing is provided with an annular boss 210 having abearing 212 in which the upper portions of the shaft 203 areadvantageously journaled.

Rcmovably secured to the boss 210 by means of bolts as at 215, there isprovided a cap 216 having a central bore 217 adapted to receive forfixed securement thereto the upper portions of a tubular drive shaft 218which forms a part of the driving mechanism E, to be hereinafter described in detail, and which is adapted to receive for relative rotationtherebetween, the drive shaft 203.

As will be hereinafter described in detail, the drive shaft 203 iseffective to drive parts of the transmission thereby to impart anoscillatory motion to the agitator C, while the tubular drive shaft 217by virtue of its fixed mounting and connection to the housing of thetransmission D which is fixedly secured to the bottom portions of thecentrifuge or basket B is effective to cause rotation of the entireassembly comprising the transmission D and the centrifuge or backet andincluding the agitator C, this rotation of the aforementioned elementsbeing accomplished during the water extractions of the washing cycle.

The drive mechanism E Attention is now directed to the structuraldetails of the driving mechanism E forming an important feature of thepresent invention and which can be seen best in Fig. 2 and particularlyFig. 3 wherein the driving mechanism is shown in section to more clearlyillustrate the internal structure thereof and to show the relativedisposition of the various parts.

In accordance with the construction of the present in vention depictedin Fig. 3, the agitator drive shaft 263 projects downwardly within thetubular shaft 218 to tor-- minate in a stud 225 of lesser diameter thanthe shaft 2&3 but projecting axially outwardly therefrom. As was here--inbefore stated, the tubular shaft 218 is fixedly secured to the cap 216of the housing of the transmission D. The tubular shaft 218 projectsdownwardly from the cap 216 and is journaled within the bore 226 of theelongated stationary sleeve 50, hereinbefore described and forming apart of the gyration suppression means I. Thus, it can be seen that, byvirtue of bearings 227 and 228 respectively disposed adjacent the upperand lower portions of the elongated stationary sleeve 59, between thetubular shaft 218 and the sleeve 50, so as to permit relative rotationof the shaft 218 with respect to the elongated stationary sleeve 50, thetubular shtft 218 may be rotated to cause rotation of the centrifugewhile the elongated sleeve 50 will remain stationary.

Since the construction and operation of the centrifuge B facilitates arelatively fast dumping of the detergent fluid in the extractingoperations, this extracting and dumping operation being accomplished ina matter of a few seconds, and because of this, it is obvious that thepump L would not be of sufficient capacity to dispose of such a quantityof water as rapidly as it is being dumped, therefore, it is necessaryfor the dumped water to. accumulate in the outer tub 95 in the areabelow the centrifuge until the pump L can disposed of same in its normalpumping operation. Thus, it is apparent that the mechanical elementsdisposed in this area must of necessity be of water tight construction.

This is advantageously accomplished in the present invention by theprovision of a seal indicated in its entirety by the numeral 230 andcomprising two segments 231, 232 arranged in telescoping association andprovided with spring means'233 arranged to urge telescoping segments 231and 232 into operative engagement with adjacent portions of the cap 216and the bearing 227. A flexible cover 235, preferably made of rubber orthe like, is arranged to enclose the joint between the telescopingsegments 231 and 232. Thus, it is apparent that this seal is effectiveto exclude water and other foreign matter from access to the bearings227 and adjacent working surfaces.

As can be best seen in Fig. 3, the bottom wall 96 of the outer tub atthe central regions thereof is provided with a flanged opening 240, saidflanged opening being arranged to operatively carry a bumper 241,preferably formed of rubber or the like to define a substantiallycircular shape having a central through bore 2 62 arranged to receiveand encircle the elongated stationary sleeve 50 and the parts containedtherein. It is notable that the bore 242 is of such a diameter as topermit relative transverse movement of the elongated sleeve 50 but mustbe limited in its diameter so as to operate as a bumper or guide tolimit the relative transverse movement of the stationary sleeve 50 inorder to prevent peripheral portions of the basket B from engaging orstriking the inner walls of the outer tub 95 during rotation of thebasket B in extracting operations.

Resilieutly carried by upper portions of the elongated stationary sleeveand by portions of the flange 240 there is provided a flexibleencircling rubber boot indicated in its entirety by the numeral 250,this boot being effective to prevent water from seeping out of theconfines of the outer tub Q5 and through the bore to the lower portionsof the washing machine.

By virtue of the key 255, a brake drum, generally indicated as at 256and forming a part of the brake assembly F to be hereinafter'describedin detail, is disposed at the lower portions of the tubular shaft 218for rotation in unison therewith. The brake drum 256 is provided with athrough bore 25 adapted to receive lower end portions of the tubularshaft 218 and is further provided with a central through bore 258adapted to receive a sleeve bearing 259 through which the lower portionsof the agitator drive shaft'203 are effectively journaled. Thus, it canbe seen that the brake drum 256 will rotate with the tubular shaft 213while the agitator shaft 203 is arranged for relative rotation withinthe bearing 259 disposed in the through bore 258 of the brake drum 256.

At the lower portions of the agitator drive shaft 203 and removablyconnected thereto for rotation in unison therewith by virtue of a setscrew 265 adapted to engage the projecting portion 225 of the shaft 203,there is provided a clutch hub indicated generally at 266 and having acentral through bore 267 adapted to receive said projecting end portion225 of the agitator drive shaft 203. The peripheral surface 268 of thebrake drum 256 and the peripheral surface 269 of the clutch hub 266together define a coaxially arranged clutching surface having a one-wayclutch spring 270 in encircling arrangement therewith so that if theclutch hub 266 is rotating in one direction the spring will tend to gripand wrap itself about the peripheral surfaces 268 and 269 so as to causerotation in unison of the clutch hub 266 and the brake drum 256.

When the clutch hub 266 is rotated in the opposite direction the spring270 is effective to unwrap itself from its engagement with theperipheral surfaces 268 and 269 thereby disengaging these two elementswhereupon the 12 clutch hub 266 will continue its rotation and the brakedrum 256 will remain stationary. The importance of the operation of thisclutch will be discussed more in detail as the description proceeds.

Disposed between the lower end portions of the brake drum 256 and theupper end portions of the clutch hub 266 there is an anti-frictionthrust bearing generally indicated by the numeral 271, this bearing alsobeing effective to permit relative rotation between the clutch hub 266and the brake drum 256.

Thus, it is apparent that the main purpose of the spring clutch 270 isto permit, from a single drive source, the operation of the agitator Cindependently of the centrifuge or basket B and during the operation ofthe centrifuge or basket B, the agitator drive mechanism may beneutralized and rotated with the centrifuge.

In order to prevent Water and/ or objectionable foreign matter fromcontact with the parts of the spring clutch 70, there is disposed anencircling boot generally indicated by the numeral 272 and preferablymade of rubber or the like, the rubber boot 272 being held in itsposition by means of a ring 275 carried by the periphery of the brakedrum 256 for sliding engagement therebetween in order for the boot 272to rotate with the clutch hub 266 in certain operations while the brakedrum 256 may be stationary, and said boot 272 at its lower end portionsbeing provided with a lip 274 adapted to encircle and snuggingly engagethe outer periphery of the clutch hub 266.

As can be seen best in Fig. 3, a stub drive shaft 285 is journaled in asleeve bearing 286 disposed in a through aperture 287 of a hub 288, thelower portion of which is supported on a plate 289 of a transverselyextending structural steel support member 290 (Fig. 3), and the upperportion of the hub 288 being supported by a bent plate support member291 also carried by the transversely extending structural steel supportmember 2'7 It is notable that the stub drive shaft 285 is rotatable inthe sleeve bearing 286 and that, by virtue of the hub 288 being fixed tothe plates 291 and 289, the shaft 285 will rotate on a fixed verticalaxis. Because the shaft 265 rotates on a fixed vertical axis, and thestructure hereinbefore described and located above the shaft 285 isarranged to provide limited transverse or lateral movement, it isobvious that some means must be employed in the connection between thelaterally movable elements and the fixed axis drive shaft 285.

This is advantageously accomplished in the present invention by theprovision of a flexible coupling indicated in its entirety by thenumeral 300 and comprising a sleeve 301 press fitted to the upperportions of the drive shaft 285, a rubber bushing 302 mounted on thesleeve 301, and a cover 303 encircling the rubber bushing 302 andadapted to be received into a counterbore 304 in the lower portions ofthe clutch hub 266.

In order to prevent axial movement of the shaft 285 with respect to thehub 288 there is provided an antifriction thrust bearing 305 receivedinto a counterbore 306 in the hub 28%. Disposed between the bearing 305and the lower annular flange 307 of the sleeve 301 there is a spacercollar 308 effective to maintain the adjacent elements in their properoperating position. To prevent foreign matter from entering the bearing305 and the sleeve bearing 286, there is provided a felt washer seal 310maintained in its position by an annular metal cap 311 removably securedto the bent plate support 291 by screws as at 312.

Thus, by virtue of the function and operation of the flexible coupling300, the parts of the washer above the clutch hub 266 are effectivelydriven by the drive shaft 285 rotating on a fixed vertical axis and yetpermitting lateral or transverse movement of the driving elementsthereabove with the pivot thereof being the central axis of the flexiblecoupling 300.

In accordance with the construction of the present asaaoes 13 inventionand as will be best seen in Fig. 3, the drive shaft 285 has mountedthereon at the lower portions thereof a driven pulley 315 adapted tocarry in driving relation therewith a V-belt .316 also in drivingrelation with a driving pulley 317 carried by the drive shaft 318 I ofthe reversible motor G.

Having thus described the general operative relationship of the parts ofthe driving mechanism E, the driving path followed in the variousoperations will now be described in detail.

As was hereinbefore stated, the motor G is of the reversible type andwill transmit power in either direction of rotation to the drive shaft285 by means of the V-belt 316 drive connection therebetween. When thedrive shaft 235 is rotating in one direction, that is to say, to drivethe agitator C, power will flow through the flexible coupling 3% tocause rotation of the clutch hub 266 which, by virtue of the set screw265 is connected to the projecting stud end portions 225 of the shaft203, will cause the shaft 2% to rotate thereby to transmit power throughthe speed reduction gear train of the transmission D where the power istranslated into oscillatory motion by virtue of the linkageinterconnected between the gear train and the agitator drive shaft 151,thereby to impart to the agitator the desired oscillatory motionnecessary to advantageously cause agitation of the detergent fluid andthe fabrics contained in the basket B. The drive path just described isfollowed during the washing and rinsing operations. Moreover, it isimportant to understand, that by virtue of the spring clutch arrangement27@ that the brake drum 256 wii remain stationary during this operationand direction of rotation of the shaft 285. The stationary position ofthe brake hub 256 is maintained by virtue of the action of the brake Fto be hereinafter described in detail.

After the washing operation is completed, the extracting operations willbegin. By operations performed by the sequential control M, current tothe motor G will be interrupted momentarily and this motor will bestopped whereupon the motor reversing mechanism will become operativeand, thereafter, current is again applied to the motor G to cause thedrive shaft 318 to rotate in a direction opposite to that hereinbeforedescribed. Thus, it is apparent that the drive shaft 285 will now beoperating in the opposite direction and the rotation in this directionwill be effective to cause operation of the spring type clutch mechanism273 to couple the clutch hub 266 with the brake drum 256 for rotation inunison whereupon, by virtue of the coupling action of the key 255, thetubular shaft 218 will rotate. Because of the fixed connection betweenthe upper portions of the tubular shaft 218 and the cap 216 forming apart of the housing of the transmission D, the entire assemblycomprising the transmission D and the centrifuge or basket B willrotate, thereby to perform the extracting operation hereinbeforedescribed, the rotation of the centrifuge or basket B being effective toempty the basket B of the detergent fluid through the apertures 113defined by the corrugatedlike shape of the flange 116 disposed adjacentthe top peripheral edge of the centrifuge whereupon the detergent fluidis disposed in the lower portions of the outer tub 95 for accumulationand disposal by means of the operation of the pump L.

Thus it becomes apparent that when the motor is rotated in one directionthe driving means E is effective to drive the agitator and when themotor is rotated in the opposite direction the driving means E iseffective to rotate the centrifuge for water extracting operations.

The brake mechnism F Attention is invited to the structural details ofthe brake mechanism F forming an important feature of the presentinvention and which can be seen best in Fig. 3 and particularly in Fig.4 wherein the elements of the brake mechanism are shown in elevation tomore clearly '14 illustrate the construction thereof and to show therelative disposition of the various parts.

In accordance with the construction of the present invention, the brakemechanism F comprises the brake drum 256 hereinbefore described, anannular brake band 325 having suitably secured thereto on the insidesurfaces thereof conventional frictional brake band material 326disposed in frictional engagement with the peripheral surface of thebrake drum 256, said brake band having at one end thereof a lip 327adapted to become engaged, under certain conditions hereinafter to bedescribed in a slot 323 disposed in a latch 329 mounted, by virtue ofpivot pin 331, for pivotal movement on a bracket 330 which is fixedlysecured to the elongated stationary sleeve 56 (Fig. 3), said latch beingprovided with a spring 332 having one end engaged with the latch body329 and the other end thereof being suitably secured to the bracket 330as at 333, said spring being effective to urge the latch in onedirection of pivotal movement, and said latch having fixedly securedthereto an arm 334 of a solenoid 335 adapted, under certain conditions,to overcome the forces of the spring 332 and cause pivotal movement ofthe latch body 329 in the opposite direction of pivotal movement.

When the motor G is operating in a direction to cause the agitator shaftto rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow 336 (Fig. 4) therelative disposition of the parts will be as indicated. In thiscondition, it can be seen that the brake band 325 is in operativeencircling engagement with the brake drum 256 thereby to prevent thetubular shaft 218 from rotating. This action, by virtue of theconnection of the tubular shaft 218 to the housing of the transmissionD, will hold the basket B from rotating thereby effective agitatingoperations may be accomplished. Since the solenoid is not energized thespring 332 will be effective to hold the latch 329 in its latchedposition as shown.

After the agitation cycle has been completed the sequential control Mwill be effective to cause reversal of the mot-or G for the purpose ofperforming water extracting operations which is accomplished by rotatingthe basket B. Since the solenoid 335 is properly connected in circuit,the solenoid will become energized to overcome the forces of the spring332 and move the latch 329 in the direction indicated by the arrow 337which will cause disengagement of the lip 327 from the slot 328 andpermit the brake band to rotate with the brake drum 256 in the directionindicated by the arrow 338. Thus, it can be seen that the tubular shaft218 is now free to rotate to cause rotation of the basket B. Moreover,it should be understood that the main purpose of this brake is only toprevent relative rotation of the basket B in either direction wheneverthe agitator C is in operation.

In order to prevent relative axial movement of the brake band 325 withrespect to the brake drum 256, there are provided ring collarsrespectively indicated at 340 and 341 and which are carried by theperiphery of the brake drum 256. As was hereinbefore stated, the brakeband 325 is free to rotate with the brake drum 256 when the elements ofthe brake are in their unapplied position and, because of the ringcollars 340 and 341, relative axial movement of the brake band 325 withrespect to the brake drum 256 is prevented.

When the sequential control calls for operation of the agitator andextracting operations are completed, the solenoid 335 will becomedeenergized and the motor G will be conditioned for reverse operation,whereupon the forces of the spring 332 will become effective to urge thelatch 329 toward its latch position whereupon the brake band 325rotating with the brake drum 256 in the direction of the arrow 338, willcause engagement of the lip 327 with surface 345 (Fig. 4) of the latch329 which will be effective to guide the lip 327 home to its position inthe slot 328 where it will be maintained until the solenoid 335 is againenergized to cause the latch to move in the 115 direction indicated bythe arrow 337. After the lip 327 has been effectively positioned in theslot 328, the brake elements are again in their applied positioneffective to hold the brake drum 256 from relative rotation in eitherdirection.

Summary of operation In Fig. 2 there can be seen to best advantage thetub filling mechanism K which forms another important feature of thepresent invention.

The cleansing fluid, in this case, water, is supplied the basket B underordinary city main pressure through a temperature control mixing valve31 which is supported on the supporting means H adjacent the rearportions of the washer (see Fig. 2).

By simply pulling out the timer control knob 33' thereb to permit linearmovement in either direction of said knob to any selected position withrespect to the washing cycle indicators disposed on the panel 24,whereupon the control knob 33 is pushed inwardly thereby to causeoperation of the timer and, thereafter, the washer will then perform alloperations of the washing cycle following that point at which thecontrol knob 33 is set by the operator for the start of the cycle. Thus,it can be seen that the washing cycle can be varied from one to tenminutes depending on Where the operator sets the control knob 33. Thedrying and rinsing cycles, however, cannot be shortened except byinterrupting the normally continuous cycle of operation. This featurehas been found desirable since it takes a certain definite period oftime to remove all of the soap or other alkaline solution employed as adetergent in the cleansing medium out of the clothes, and for the reasonthat the ordinary user of the machine should not, therefore, be given anopportunity to shorten the rinse cycle. it has similarly been found tobe unnecessary to provide any adjustment in the water extraction time.

The complete operation of the automatic washing machine representing theillustrated embodimout of the in vcntion and described herein in detailbe briefly summarized as follows:

Clothes or other articles to be laundered are inserted into the basket Bof the automatic washing machine through the hinged lid 25 of thecabinet A and a small amount of soap or other suitable detergent is thensprinkled on the top of the clothes or articles to be laundered. Thewater temperature control switch 3% is now set for the desired watertemperature at which the clothes or other articles to be laundered. Thetimer control knob 33 is pulled outwardly and moved in its horizontallinear path to the extreme left-hand position (Fig. l) and when thecontrol knob 22 is pushed inwardly it will set the tim ing mechanism inmotion to perform the various sequential operations of the washingcycle.

As was hereinbc'rore stated, the instant washer an adjustable fill fromone to six minutes, and since the water valve 31 set to provide 2 and /3gallons of water per minute regardless of city main pressures, theamount of water disposed in the tub is controlled by time asdistinguished from conventional prior art fioat mechanisms. It has beenfound practical for all intentions herein contained to have a fillperiod of approximately four minutes under average conditions.Accordingly, it t ,e time; control knob 33 is set at 0, the mechanismwill become operative to permit filling of the basket B for period offour minutes and as the timer control knob passes through this fourminute cycle, the electrical contacts (not shown) in the timer will beactuated by the engagement of a suitable linear profile to shut thewater supply and simultaneously therewith start the washing phase of thecycle. The motor will be set in election or" rotatio cause the agitatorto oscillate to perform its washing function upon the clothes and/orother articles laundered.

For all practical intents and purposes herein contained and based uponexperience as to the length of time desirable for the washing phase ofthe cycle, it has been found that a ten minute period is most practicalunder average conditions. It is notable that if the timer control knob33 is set at the 0 position (Fig. 1) and left undisturbed, there will bea four minute fill period followed by a ten minute wash period in whichthe agitator performs its oscillating motion. However, it is importantto understand that, in certain instances, it may be desirable to varythe wash period. This may advantageously be accomplished by setting thetimer control knob 33 at (Pig. 1) and permitting this control knob topass through the four minute fill period, whereupon the knob may bepulled outwardly and reset at any point between numbers 4 and 14 andpushed inwardly whereupon the timer will continue from that point tocomplete the washing cycle. The apparatus is thereafter adapted tooperate without further attention, all of the remaining operationstaking place automatically and proceeding to the completion of the lastwater extraction operation.

After the wash period has been completed the electrical contacts of thesequential control, by virtue of the linear profile, will be set toprovide a thirty second pause permitting the motor to completely stopand be set for reverse operation to accomplish Water extractionoperations in the manner hereinbefore described. When the timer controlknob 33 has passed through this thirty second pause, the electricalcontacts will be set, to cause rotation of the basket B for waterextracting operations. in this operation, the rotation of thecombination washing tub and water extracting basket B at extremely highspeeds during the extraction operation will cause centrifugal forces tomove the mass of water outwardly from the geometrical center of rotationand, by virtue of the inclined upstanding annular wall of thecombination washing tub and water extracting basket B, the water willtend to flow upwardly through the passage defined by the oblique walland the adjacent portion of the wall 1&5 and thereafter, through theapertures 118 formed by the corrugated-like formations on the annularflange 116, whereupon the water will be discharged into the confines ofthe outer tub 95 for disposal. it is important to understand that thiscentrifuge action of the basket B will empty the water disposed thereinin a matter of a few seconds thus presenting a substantial saving oftime in the wash cycle and yet performing a better job than prior artmodels employing time consuming pumping operations and the like.

In centrifuge type extractors, it has been found that during theextracting operation the fabrics contained in the basket B, by virtue oftheir mass and bulk, will sometimes entrap water and other foreignmaterial in the lower portions of the basket B thereby to prevent thedesired removal of such entrapped water from the basket B which willcause an undesirable accumulation of such sediment and other foreignmatter. In this connection, it is notable that it is desirable to havethis objectionable sediment and foreign matter removed to provide aclear rinsing cycle and prevent the sediment laden water from beingstrained through the fabrics being washed during any of the waterextracting cycles.

This is advantageously accomplished in the present invention by theprovision of the auxiliary sump adapted to facilitate removal of theentrapped objectionable sediment contained fluid by passing the samethrough the apertures 120 and into the annular cup-like structure and,by virtue of a centrifuge action similar to that hereinbefore describedwith respect to the emptying of "the basket B, the sediment containedwater will be caused to flow from the annular cup-shaped structure intothe conduit 138 which extends upwardly adjacent the exterior of the wall165 of the basket B and terminates with an open end 131 and through thisconduit and, by virtue of the centrifuge action imparted by rotation ofthe basket B at relatively high speed, the sediment contained 17 waterwill rise in the conduit 130 and be discharged from the open end 131thereof and into the confines of the outer tub 95 for disposal with theother water being caused to be extracted from the inner portions of thetub B through apertures 118 formed of the corrugatedshaped formations onthe flange 116.

Since the construction and operation of the centrifuge B facilitates arelatively fast dumping of the detergent fluid in the extractingoperations, this extracting and dumping operation being accomplished ina matter of a few seconds, and because of this, it is obvious that thepump L would not be of suflicient capacity to dispose of such a quantityof water as rapidly as it is being dumped, therefore, it is necessaryfor the dumped water to accumulate in the outer tub 95 in the area belowthe centrifuge until the pump L can dispose of same in its normalpumping operation. It is recalled that the motor will operate in twodirections of rotation, that is to say, in one direction when it isdesired that the agitator be operated and in another direction when itis desired that the extracting operations be performed. Thus, by virtueof the pump drive arrangement, it can be seen that the pump will operatein both directions of rotation and at all times when the motor G is inoperation.

Attention is again referred to Fig. l and it is notable that the timermechanism, for purposes of this description of operation of the washingmachine, has now moved to the extract spin position and will continuefor one minute to perform the water extraction spin operation ashereinbefore described and after the timer has passed through thisminute period the electrical contacts will be set in a manner to providea thirty second spin rinse of warm water. This spin rinse is effectiveto remove extraneous scum and other detergent fluid remaining in thebasket B after the first water extraction spin operation has beencompleted.

After the timer has passed through the forementioned thirty second spinrinse, the electrical contacts thereof will be set to shut off thecurrent supply to the motor thereby to stop the spinning of the basket Bbut, the electrical contacts are now set to permit a three and one-halfminute fill period, in which period the basket is again supplied withwarm rinse water.

After the timer has passed through this three and one-half minute fillperiod, the electrical contacts thereof will be set so as to causereverse rotation of the motor thereby to provide an agitator drive andsince the contacts are set for continuous supply of water to the basketB there is provided a four minute agitated overflow rinse which has beenfound particularly desirable to advantageously clear the clothes and thebasket B of all scum, sediment and detergent fluid. It is obvious thatif the water supply is continuous as hereinbefore suggested that thewater will fill the basket B and thereafter overflow through theapertures 118 and into the outer tub 95 for disposal by the pump L ashereinbefore described.

A one minute agitated rinse period without overflow is provided, thisbeing accomplished by positioning of the electrical contacts so as tocause the water to be shut off at the mixing valve 31. After the oneminute agitated rinse without overflow there is provided a thirty secondpause in order to permit the motor to be stopped and the controls be setfor reverse operation of the motor for the purpose of water extractionoperations to follow. After a one minute water extraction spin operationthere is provided a one-half minute spin rinse followed by a six min- 18ute water extraction period, making a total washing cycle of thirty-twoand one-half minutes.

While I have illustrated preferred embodiments of my invention, manymodifications may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details ofconstruction set forth but wish to avail myself of all changes withinthe scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a combined washing and water extracting machine including anupwardly open receptacle, an upwardly open basket mounted for rotationwithin the receptacle, and an oscillatable agitator mounted within thebasket: mechanism for driving the basket; separate mechanism for drivingthe agitator including a planetary sector component operable totranslate rotative movement of the agitator drive to oscillatorymovement; said separate mechanism being enclosed in a housing, saidhousing being secured to and forming the bottom wall of the basket, areversibly driven electric motor; mechanical means responsive torotation of the motor in one direction for actuating the agitatordriving mechanism; mechanical means responsive incident to rotation ofthe motor in the opposite direction, for actuating the basket drivingmechanism; in combination with brake means interposed in the basketdriving mechanism; spring means for yieldingly maintaining the brake inoperative position; and a solenoid connected in the motor circuit andadapted to be energized when the motor is driven in one of its twodirections for moving said last-mentioned brake means to its inoperativeposition.

2. In a washing machine of the type wherein an agitator transmissionhousing supports a spinner basket and forms a portion of the bottom wallof the basket and wherein a reversible motor is operated in a firstdirection to oscillate an agitator and in a second direction to spin thebasket, the combination therewith of: a transmission disposed in thehousing and responsive to operation of the motor means, saidtransmission comprising a crank gear operatively connected to the motor;a connecting rod formed with a gear sector pivotally mounted to thecrank gear; an agitator shaft carrying a spur gear mounted in thehousing; means for maintaining the gear sector and the spur gear inengagement so that upon rotation of the motor in the appropriatedirection the crank gear will cause the connecting rod and its gearsector to oscillate whereby the spur gear and the agitatior shaft areoscillated, and a coil spring clutch responsive to operation of themotor means in said second direction effective to divert power away fromthe transmission and to the housing whereby the basket is rotatedthrough the housing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS850,981 Tillotson ..Apr. 23, 1907 968,025 Blum Aug. 23, 1910 2,222,329Watts Nov. 19, 1940 2,255,505 Dunham Sept. 9, 1941 2,269,190 Dunham Jan.6, 1942 2,331,897 Dyer Oct. 19, 1943 2,346,152 Clark Apr. 11, 19442,441,053 Wooster May 4, 1948 2,568,614 Fields Sept. 18, 1951 2,612,766Smith et a1. Oct. 7, 1952 2,627,741 Johnson Feb. 10, 1953 2,699,683Castner Jan. 18, 1955 U. 8-. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE PATENT OFFICECERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent Noa 2,826,055 March 11, 1958 Edward JFrey It is hereby certified that error appears in the printedspecification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and thatthe said Let oers Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 8, line 44, for "rolled" read m trolled column 10, line 41, for'extractigme read extraction operations column 11, line 3 for "disposed"read dispose column 13, line 31, for "wil" read will column 15, line 52,for "22" read 33 ==-a Signed and sealed this 20th day of May 1958,,

KARL AXLINE ROBERT c. WATSON Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

